Gear Guide 2023: All the Gear to Brew Great Coffee Outside
There’s something special about enjoying coffee outside Around a campfire, on a backpacking trip, outside the van or RV, or just a peaceful morning on the porch , the perfect morning begins with the right brewing gear.
To make coffee outside, you’ll need:
Your favorite whole bean coffee:
Great coffee outside starts with your favorite whole bean coffee. Any chance you can start with whole bean coffee the better you’re coffee will be. Of course you’ll need a grinder and we’ll get to that next. I’m partial to Nero Coffee’s Trail Magic Breakfast Blend for brewing great coffee outside, but any whole bean coffee will work.
A burr grinder:
If you are traveling with access to electricity or if you just want to grind your own beans right before your camping trip or outdoor adventure, here’s the grinder I have at home and love. It lets you grind to different levels of coarseness based on your preferred brewing method. You can select the courseness from espresso to french press
Manual Burr Grinder.
If you are on a more off the grid adventure or just want to seem cooler than most people by grinding your coffee by hand - here’s my favorite manual coffee grinder. With a manual burr grinder, you can freshly grind your whole bean coffee, no matter where you are!
Filtered water. Your coffee is only as good as the water you use There are plenty of ways to get get great water. When I am backpacking I like to collect water from kany running water source and the filter with with either a gravity Filter or Squeeze filter.
Heat source. You can’t brew coffee without hot water. A compact, portable gas stove like a Pocket Rocket is a great option.
Kettle If you are going to heat water on a stove, It's nice to have a gooseneck kettle to put your water into whatever coffee your are making. I love my steel kettle, but if I am going on a more off the beaten path outdoor adventure this one’s great.
Coffee scoop. Having a coffee scoop on hand will make measuring coffee far easier when you’re outside. This one’s just cute.
Mug. Of course, your favorite travel mug needs to come along for the adventure. Lots of people like enamel because they are very durable but I personally feel like they get too hot to the touch so I llike using ceramic mugs or one of these fancy insulated ones.
You’ll need the gear for your Preferred brewing method. There are multiple ways to brew coffee outsideI’ll show you our favorites later on.
3 Different Ways to Brew Coffee Outside
When people think about making coffee outside, brew methods like cowboy coffee, instant coffee, and even sock brewing methods come to mind.
Forget all of that.
There are much better ways to brew coffee outdoors.
1. AeroPress
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Original-bitterness-American-espresso/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=asc_df_B0047BIWSK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167152462925&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9359846348742502084&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010326&hvtargid=pla-315571604316&psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=wiredhiker0e-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=da6b32d5dde80d8fec9507827474b83e&camp=1789&creative=9325">Aeropress for Outdoor Coffee Kit</a>
Let’s start with our preferred simple outdoor brew method: The AeroPress.
The AeroPress is a small, portable brewer made up of three parts:
Filter cap
Brewing chamber
Plunger
Made almost entirely of polypropylene, this brew method is ideal for any type of outdoor adventure. From hiking up the side of a mountain for coffee with a view to fueling up on the beach before a snorkeling excursion, the AeroPress is designed to withstand any adventure.
At first glance, you may not believe this tiny brewer weighing ~7 ounces can brew an award-winning cup of coffee. Think again.
The AeroPress provides outdoor adventurers with versatility—a necessity when brewing outside.
Regular or Inverted Brew Method
There are two ways to brew an AeroPress.
The Regular Method places the filter cap and brewing chamber on top of the mug. Coffee grounds and water are added and when ready, the plunger directs the brewed coffee down into the mug. Although easy, many customers weren’t thrilled with the process. So, the Inverted Method was created.
The Inverted Method starts with the AeroPress flipped upside down, with the plunger top being on the bottom. Coffee and water are once again added to the chamber (albeit, upside down.) Once the coffee has steeped for the desired amount of time, screw the filter cap on, gently flip onto the mug, and plunge.
Paper or Metal Filter
Do you prefer coffee with crisp flavors and a clean finish? Or, do you enjoy coffees with a heavier body and greater aromatic intensity?
With the AeroPress, you can have either!
Paper filters achieve a clean-tasting cup by soaking up the natural oils from the coffee. In comparison, stainless steel filters produce a flavorful, full-bodied coffee by letting partial amounts of oils into the final cup.
There’s no right option, so try both filters and discover which filter you prefer!
Endless Recipes
There are so many AeroPress recipes to explore. From pseudo espresso shots to experimental coffee recipes, you’ll find the AeroPress to be a powerful little brew method for all types of coffee outdoors.
2. French Press
Some outdoor enthusiasts prefer to make coffee with a French Press for its simplicity and rich flavors imparted from the brewing process.
This classic brew method comes with either a glass or metal brewing chamber, making it better for car camping, RV travels, and sharing a cup on the porch with friends and family.
Additionally, a French Press is capable of brewing more coffee than an AeroPress. If you’re brewing coffee for a group of people outside, opt for the French Press!
Use our Ultimate Guide to French Press Coffee before embarking on your next outdoor coffee adventure.
3. Pour Over Coffee
Wait. Pour over coffee? Outside? How is that possible?
With a few adjustments to your typical coffee routine, you can brew a pour over outside!
Now, we’re not suggesting you bring a Chemex on the trail with you. Opt for a durable, versatile brewer like thispour over coffee dripper.
Instead of trying to replicate a complicated home pour over set up, all you need is:
Coffee beans
Manual grinder
Pour over dripper
Heat source
Water
Travel mug
You’ll skip the paper filters, scales, and messy clean-up!
Pour over coffees are best for outdoor activities that don’t require you to pack up and trek out, like a backcountry camping excursion. Make a pour over at your campsite, by the beach, or while enjoying a sunrise in a wide-open field.
But, if you’re a die-hard pour over fan who wants coffee while on the trail, this small set-up can easily be packed into a hiking backpack.
Prepare for Your Next Outdoor Coffee Adventure
I shaved my recommendations, but we’ve made it even easier to make great coffee outside. Our outdoor coffee kits are now available - you can choose a French Press, Pourover, Aeropress Kit. Take a look.
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